UTICA, NY – The Utica College men’s hockey team gears up for its ECAC West Conference opener this weekend on the road against Nazareth College. The teams will play on Friday and Saturday, with the puck drop scheduled for 7 p.m. both days.
How UC Stands: The Pioneers are 1-0-0 after winning their season opener at home against nonconference opponent Castleton University, 5-2, on Friday … Four different players scored to lift Utica to victory… Sophomore Alex Brissette (Atlanta, GA/Hampton Roads (USPHL)) tallied two goals to lead the charge, while Easton Powers (South Lyon, MI/Port Huron (NAHL)) netted one goal and freshmen LJ Fellows (Hyannis, MA/Northern Cyclones (EHL)) and Hayden Dawes (Stony Plain, Alberta/Drayton Valley (AJHL)) each scored their first collegiate goals… Freshman Michael Frederick had 26 saves in net to get the win in his first career start.
In the National Spotlight: Sophomore Alex Brissette (Atlanta, GA/Hampton Roads (USPHL)) has gained national attention for his first goal against Castleton, which was netted just seven seconds into the opening period on Friday… Brissette’s tally was the second fastest goal in the history of Division III men’s hockey and the fastest in over 25 years… The Pioneer offense ranks eighth nationally with 5.00 goals per game, while the penalty killing unit is a perfect 5-for-5.
New Faces: The freshman class made its presence felt early as Hayden Dawes (Stony Plain, Alberta/Drayton Valley (AJHL)) and LJ Fellows (Hyannis, MA/Northern Cyclones (EHL)) each contributed a goal to help the Pioneers skate past Castleton… Dawes was also credited with an assist on Brissette’s record setting goal, along with classmate Zach Borsoi (Brossard, Quebec/Gloucester (CCHL))… Dawes is tied for first in the nation in scoring amongst rookies… Michael Frederick had a strong showing in net as he turned aside 26 shots and had a save percentage of .929 in his first start.
Returning Players: The veterans were not to be outdone as they combined for three goals and eight assists on Friday… Apart from Brissette’s two-goal outing, sophomore Kevin Valenti (Queensbury, NY/Northern Cyclones (EHL)) tallied two assists… Easton Powers (South Lyon, MI/Port Huron (NAHL)) put up his first goal of the season while Kevin Kirisits (Buffalo, NY/Brockville (CCHL)), Anthony McVeigh (Kemptville, Ontario/Carleton Place (CCHL)), Vinny Stefan, Dalton Carter (Toledo, OH/Northern Cyclones (EHL)), Trent Samuels-Thomas (West Hartford, CT/Omaha (USHL)), and Mikhail Bushinski (Woodbury, MN/Kenai River (NAHL)) each got their names on the score sheet with one assist apiece.
Scouting Nazareth: The Golden Flyers are 0-0-1 overall after tying Buffalo State 2-2 on Saturday … Nazareth was led by Dominik Gabaj, who scored one goal and one assist, Scott Dawson (one goal), and goalie Ed Zdolshek had 43 saves with a .956 save percentage.
Against The Golden Flyers: The Pioneers are 5-2-2 against Nazareth over the last three years … Last year UC went 0-1-2 against the Golden Flyers, losing 5-4 and tying 2-2 and 1-1… Sophomore Dalton Carter (Toledo, OH/Northern Cyclones (EHL)) led the way with four assists in three games against Naz last season.
Looking Ahead: UC returns home next weekend for a huge ECAC West Conference set… The Pioneers face rival Elmira College Friday, before taking on Hobart College on Saturday… Both games are scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Utica Memorial Auditorium.
